Wire-stitcher.



H. A. OLSSON.

WIRE STITUHER. APPLICATION FILED A2114, 1008.

Patented Mar. 9, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Witnesses:

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Tn: Mamas Fri-Ens co, wAsumamm-n c H. A. 0Lsso1 \r. WIRE STITOHER'APPLIOATION FILED APB. 14,1908.

Patented Mar; 9, 1909.

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Arrmomion rmm APB.14,1908.

Patented Mar. 9, 1909.

4295i. za I aa i sfifi 553 Witnesses: I Inventor:

UNITED srar ns HENRY A. OLSSON, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

WIRE-STITCHER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 9, 1909.

Application filed April 14;, 1908. Serial No. 4263419.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY a citizen of the United States, residing inBrooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Wire Stitchers, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to machines generally known as wire stitchers orstapling machines in which a length of wire is drawn from a reel orsupply, cut-off, bent to form a staple, and then driven through thearticle and generally clenched on the opposite side.

The object of the present invention is to provide means for causing thewire end portion that is passed into the slot of an anvil member andthen cut ofi, to have the two end portions bent to form the legs of astaple, to be brought into the anvil slot by the act of advancing theanvil in the plane of its slot along the wire that is held stationary;and thereupon while the anvil is being returned to its normal positionfor forming and driving the staple, the feeding operation takes place,whereby the wire advances along with the anvil and therefore remains inthe slot.

A further object is to provide a feeding member having a guide, andthrough which member and guide the wire passes, and to arrange the feedmember whereby the anvil will be brought over to the feed member andthen both members will retreat while the wire is held stationary,

A. OLssoN,

causing it to pass into the anvil slot; and then while the anvil isreturned to normal position the feed member is also returned to advancethe wire and retain it in the anvil.

A further object of the invention is to provide a shiftable feed memberwith means whereby when it is moved rearward away from the normalforming position of the anvil, it will engage the wire and prevent itsrearward movement, while the same wire engaging means will grip the wireon the return stroke of the feed member and advance the wlre.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for adjusting thereciprocating mechanisms of the anvil member and also of the feedmember, in order to provide for different lengths of staple.

A further object is to provide a member that will divide a single memberwhose adjustment will automatically vary the movement of the anvilmember and of the feed member in the proper proportions to provide fordifferent lengths of staple.

A further object is to provide cutting means carried by the feed memberand which are operated in the various positions of adjustment withoutadjusting the operating means.

In the accompanying drawings representing embodiments of my invention,Figure 1 is a front elevation of certain parts of a stitcher, Fig. 2 isan end view of the feed member, showing a portion of the former,illustrating the wire cutting device and its operating means, Fig. 3shows in front elevation enlarged, the feed member, and a por tion ofthe engaging rack for the feed rolls. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the partsshown in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 shows in front elevation a modified form ofstitcher. Fig. 6 is a section on the line 66 indicated in Fig. 5. Fig. 7is a front elevation enlarged of the anvil member as shown in Fig. 5.Figs. 8 to 12 inclusive show diagrammatically successive positions ofthe anvil member and feed member with. the engaging rack, on reducedscale. Figs. 1 3 to 22 inclusive show diagrammatic ally consecutivepositions of the anvil and feed member with the operating actuator, asarranged for two adjustments. Figs. 23 and 24 show in side and endelevations respectively details of the supporting tongue for the staple,and connected parts; and Fig. 25 shows in section details of the lockingmechanism for the screw rod.

In the construction shown in Fig. 1, on a suitable frame F is mounted ananvil mem her 2 carrying an anvil 3 having the usual slot 4. The member2 is guided to reciprocate in the path of the feed of the wire 5. A feedmember 6 is arranged to reciprocate in the same path. The normalposition of the anvil as shown in Fig. 1 permits it to be straddled by aformer 7 reciprocated by pitman 8 from a crank disk 9 carried by shaft10. A driver 11 may be reciprocated from a cam slot 12 in the cam memberin the usual manner.

The feed member carries gripping means arranged to grip the wire on thereturn movement of the member toward the anvil; also carries means forengaging the wire to prevent its rearward movement when the feed mem heris moved rearward away from the anvil,

thereby causing the wire to be held stationary during such rearwardmovement. And both of such means are shown combined in one pair of rollscarried by the feed member that are caused to rotate in a direction toadvance the wire through the feed member when the feed member is movedbackwardly, and at equal speed, which results in the wire being heldstationary and prevented from moving backward on the rearward movementof the feed member; while the same rollers are locked against movementin the opposite direction, and hence on the return movement of the feedmember these rollers will grip the wire and carry it forward along withthe feed member.

The anvil member and the feed member both being shiftable, and the feedmember being provided with the wire engaging means as just described,means are provided for reciprocating both of these members, andpreferably one of the members is advanced to engage the other member andthereupon both members are advanced together in the same direction thatthe other member has been moving, for a distance equal to the length ofthe staple to be cut. the anvil member is returned to its normal formingposition, and the feed member is also returned to its former position.Furthermore, means are provided for varying the movements of these twomembers to give a different length of staple as desired, and for equallegs of the staple the two members must have a corresponding ratio ofmovement in every adjustment. Means are provided whereby the movement ofone member will vary the reciprocating movements of the two said membersin the proper relation and by the proper timing thereof.

In the arrangements shown in Fig. 1 and elsewhere, the feed member isprovided with a pair of rollers 12 and 13 pivoted on the feed member 6to engage the wire 5 therebetween, and carry gears 14 and 15 wherebythey rotate together at equal speeds. A pawl 16 engages the gear 15 toprevent the rotation of the gears in one direction that would permit thewire to pass rearward, but allowing their rotation in the oppositedirection. A gear 17 meshes with gear 1 1, and gear 17 has secured to ita ratchet wheel 18 engaged by pawl 19 carried by a gear 20 mountedconcentric with the gear 17 but loose on its spindle. A rack 21. isfixed on the frame in position to engage the gear 20 and rotate it uponreciprocation of the feed member 6. Therefore gear 20 will rotate inopposite directions as the member 6 reciprocates. But when the membermoves forward the pawl 19 will ride free over the ratchet wheel 20 andwill not serve to rotate the gears on the rolls 12 anc 18. But when thefeed member moves rearward, the pawl 19 will be carried around on thegear 20 to Thereupon engage its ratchet wheel 18 and rotating gear 17,the gears 14 and 15 will rotate and the rollers also. But the peripheralspeed of these rollers is equal to the speed of movement of the feedmember 6 and being in the forward direction where engaging the wire, thewire will be fed forward at precisely the same speed that the feedmember itself is moving rearward, which will have the effect of holdingthe wire stationar relative to the frame and the rack 21 while thereturn movement of the feed member will draw the wire forward by thepawl 16 preventing rotation of the wheels 12 and13 that would permit theWire to pass rearward through the feed member.

In the arrangement for reciprocating the feed member and the anvilmember shown in Fig. 1, and also that shown in Fig. 5, the anvil memberis advanced rearward to the feed member, and thereupon both membersadvance in the same direction for a distance equal to the staple lengthto be cut from the wire. turned to normal position. In the constructionshown in Fig. 1, the anvil member is advanced until it abuts the feedmember, and thereupon the movement of the anvil member is continued, itserving to push the feed member along with it the proper distance. Thenthe anvil member is engaged and returned forward for a distance equal tothe distance it was removed from the feed member in their former normalpositions at which time the feed member is engaged, and then bothmembers move at the same speed and the same distance apart through thesame space until returned to their former positions. The actuating meansshown in Fig. 1 comprise an actuator bar 23 slidable parallel with thepath of movement of the feed and anvil members. Suitable means areprovided for reciprocating this bar, it being shown as having a rack 24engaged by a toothed sector 25 that is swung by a link 26 pivoted to oneend of a lever 27 pivoted to the frame at 28. The pin 29 on the otherend of the lever rides in a race way 30 in the cam member 22 that isconcentric for a large portion of its length, but contains an offset at31 that will reciprocate the actuator, holding it stationary at otherparts of the cycle of the driving shaft. A lug 33 on the actuator bar 23engages the anvil 4, preferably by a lug 32 thereon, when the bar hasmoved rearward a certain distance, and advances the anvil to abut thefeed member 6. The continued movement of the bar and anvil will causethe anvil to move the feed member along with it for the length of thestroke of the actuator, that is not shown adjustable. When the actuatorbar begins its return movement the lug 32 will move away from the anvillug and would not thereby return the anvil member. A second lug 34 isfixed Thereupon both members are .re-

on the actuator bar in position to engage the opposite side of the lug32 when the anvil and bar are in normal positions. lVhen the baradvances, this lug 34 will leave the anvil. Hence on the return movementof the actuator bar the lug 34 will engage the anvil lug after the barhas returned a certain distance, and when the bar returns to its formerposition the anvil will be returned to its former or normal position.

In order to return the feed member to its normal position, that isseparated from the anvil the distance of one leg of the staple, a lug 36is provided on the actuator bar to engage the opposite side of the feedmember, and this lug is spaced so that it will not engage the feedmember until the bar has started on its return stroke for a distanceequal to the distance the two members are separated in normal position.Therefore when the bar returns to normal position, it will return thefeed member to its normal position.

When it is desired to make a longer staple, the feed member must beshifted so that its normal position is a greater distance from theanvil. This can be effected by shifting the lug 33 on the actuator barthe same distance away from the anvil member. In other words, the feedmember and lug are together shifted away from the anvil the additionallength of each leg of the staple, or a distance equal to one half of theadditional length of the staple. Now, the feed member must always moverearward a distance equal to the length of the staple to be cut off, andas it is moved rearward by the travel of the anvil member, such membermust have a greater travel rearward. Furthermore, the feed member beingremoved a greater distance from the anvil in its normal position, forthe greater length of the staple, the anvil member must first travel theadditional distance the feed member has been adjusted, to abut the feedmember; and must then travel a greater distance than before adjusted.equal to the additional length of the staple. Consequently, the lengthof travel of the anvil. for the longer staple must be three-halves ofthe additional length of the staple; whereas the lug 36 is shiftedrearward onehalf of the additional length of the staple or theadditional length of one leg of the staple. Therefore, the lug 32 isshifted rearward threehalves of the additional length of staple,

- while the lug 36 is adjusted rearward onehalf of the additional lengthof the staple, or in a ratio of three to one. This movement is efiectedsimultaneously by a single member. One form of such means is shown ascomprising a screw rod 37 carried by the actuator bar 23 and preventedfrom endwise movement, being rotated by a handle 38, and clamped by athreaded head 39 when adjusted on the screw abutting the end of the bar.The handle 38 slides on the screw rod but is prevented from turningtherewith. The lug 33 has a screw-threaded bore engaged by a threaded.portion 40 at one end of the spindle or red 37 whereby it is shifted onturning the rod. The other lug 36 has a screw-threaded bore engaging athreaded portion of the rod, but the latter threaded portions are formedto advance the lugs in the ratio of three to one; that is, for one turnof the rod or spindle, the lug 33 will move three times the distancethat the lug 36 is shifted.

It will be obvious that the lug 34 does not require any adjustment fordifferent length of staple for the reason that it simply returns theanvil to forming position and this is al ways constant being inalinement with the former by which it is straddled to bend the staple.After the length of wire has been fed to form the staple, it must be cutoff and this is usually done at the end of the feed member, that issometimes termed the guide tube, being represented by an aperture 41 ina plug 42 on the guide member 6. When the feed member is adjusted for adifferent length of staple, the position at which the wire is cut willbe shifted. Therefore it is desirable to attach the cutting member tothe shiftable feed member, and in Fig. 2 is shown a cutting knife 43pivoted in a recess 44 in the end. of the feed member 6. The projectingend of the knife 43 is engaged by a pin 45 carried by the former in itsdescent.

Another modification is shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 in which the same formof feed member as just described, and as shown in detail in Figs. 3 and4 is provided; but the actuating mechanism is different. In this viewthe anvil member 2 has a lever 65 pivoted thereto at 46 which lever ispivoted to a bent lever 47 pivoted on an arm 48 from the frame This bentlever has an extension at one end engaging a slot 12 in the cam memberof the machine. The lever 65 has its pivot pin 49 adjustable in a slot50 in the lever 47 whereby this connection can be moved to and from theaxis of the bent lever and therefore vary the reciprocation of the anvilmember 2. The feed member 6 has a rod 51 secured thereto and passingthrough an aperturec lug 52 carried by slide 53 in the anvil member apivoted bent arm 54 connects lever with this slide by a link 55. As theanvil moves back and forth the lug will travel with it but the rod 51slides in the bore of the lug and the lug 52 has a certain free movementlimited by a head 56 on the rod 51 at one end and by the engagement ofthe anvil and feed member at the other limit. When the bent lever 47swings outward, it will move the anvil rearward that will shift toengage the feed member and then advance the feed member along with it.During such movement the wire will be held stationary by reason of therotation of the feed rolls from the stationary rack as has beendescribed. This movement is such that the anvil will advance the feedmember the distance of a staple length. Upon the bent lever swinging inthe opposite direction the anvil will be returned to its former normalposition. When it starts back the apertured lug will slide along the roduntil it engages the head on the end of the rod, and during rest of themovement, the anvil will pull the bar and feed member back with it. Now,the length of this bar is such that when the anvil and feed member arein their returned positions the head of the bar will engage the lug.Therefore, the anvil will advance on its return movement the distancebetween the feed member and anvil at their normal positions before theanvil begins to return the feed member. Now, when the lever has itspivotal connection with the lever 417 moved upward to give a shorterstroke to the anvil the apertured lug 52 will be shifted away from thefeed member and engaging the head of the rod will draw the feed membertoward the anvil, automatically adjusting for a shorter staple length.Obviously an adjustment of the levers in the opposite direction willcorrespondingly shift the lug in the other direction for a longerstaple. This operation is shown diagrammatically in Figs. 8 to 12. Fig.8 represents the normal position while in Fig. 9 the anvil is shiftedover to abut the feed member. The further advance of the anvil memberwill carry the feed member along with it as shown in 10 while the rod 51will pass through the bore of the lug. The return movement of the anvilmember will cause the rod to pass through the lug in the oppositedirection until its head engages as shown in Fig. 11 in which therelative position of the anvil and feed member is similar to that shownin Fig. 8. The return of the anvil to normal position will draw the feedmember back with it as indicated in Fig. 12.

Referring now to the diagrams, in Figs. 1322, Fig. 13 shows in plan theactuator bar 23 carrying the lugs 33, 34 and 36, and the feed member 6,and anvil member 2, in their normal positions, and also the adjustingspindle or rod 37, and the wire 5. Fig. 14 shows the same parts, butwith the lugs 33 and 36 shifted by turning the handle 33 of the spindle,the lug 33 being shifted three times the distance the lug 36 is shifted.The feed member 6 is shown as shifted rearward the same distance thatthe lug is shifted rearward, because on the return stroke it will beengaged later and returned less distance. Fig. 15 shows the arts asadjusted in Fig. 13, with the bar 23 a vanced until the lug 33 hasengaged the anvil member 2 and advanced it to abut the feed member 6.Fig. 17 shows a continuation of the movement indicated in Fig. 15, theadvance of the bar 23 causing lug 33 to still further shift the anvilmember and feed member. And the wire being prevented from rearwardmovement, will be caused to pass through the anvil member 2 as shown inthis view. Fig. 19 shows the bar 23 started on its return movement, andthe lug 3 1 has shifted the anvil member 2 rearward for a certaindistance, until the lug 36 abuts the feed member 6. The full returnmovement of the bar 23 will cause the lugs 34 and 36 to return themembers 2 and 6 to their normal positions. In Fig. '16, the bar 23 isshown advanced until the anvil member 2 abuts the feed member 6. Thefurther advance of the bar will advance the feed member and anvilmembers as shown in Fig. 18, according to this adjustment of the lugs 33and 36. In Fig. 20, the bar 23 is shown as returned until the lug 36abuts the feed member 6, and the lug 34 engages the anvil 2. And in Fig.22 the parts according to this adjustment are returned to their normalpositions. Comparing the two positions of adjustment, it will be seenthat the lug 36 must be shifted rearward for a greater length of staple,and forward for a shorter staple, for a distance equal to the additionallength of one staple leg, or one-half of the additional length of thestaple itself. And it will be further seen that the lug 33 must beshifted for a greater length of staple a distance equal to the greaterdistance that the anvil must travel to abut the feed member, plus thegreater distance that the anvil member must travel to cause the lengthof wire to be fed on its return movement. Therefore, this total distanceof adjustment of the lug 33 must be the increase of length of .thestaple wire, plus the increase of the length of one leg of the staple,in other words three-halves of the additional length of staple. But thelug 36 was shifted one-half of the additional length of staple. Hencethese lugs must be advanced a relative distance of three to one, and inthe same direction.

It is customary in stapling machines to provide a supporting member ortongue that is caused to pass between the legs of the former below theanvil to support the staple legs in the usual grooves in the oppositefaces of the former; and which supporting tongue retreats the driverdescends to force the staple into the article. Heretofore thissupporting member has been carried by the former iember. But in thisinvention the support is shown as carried by the anvil member andcomprises a supporting tongue 57 pivoted at 58 on a bracket 59 securedto the anvil member 2. A plunger 60 is caused by spring 61 to press thetongue toward the anvil, the anvil being pressed outward by a spring 62,whose motion is limited by stop 63. The tongue 57 abuts the anvil memberthat limits its inward movement.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a stitcher, the combination with a staple former, of an anvilmember shiitable laterally, a movable feed member, means for shiftingthe anvil member from forming position over to the feed member and tofurther advance the anvil member and feed member rearward to pass thewire through the anvil member, means for returning the feed member andanvil member to normal positions, and means on one of said movablemembers causing the wire to be advanced during said return movement andthereby retained in the anvil when returned to forming position.

In a stitcher, the combination with a staple former, of an anvil membershiftable laterally, a movable feed member, means for shifting the anvilmember from forming position over to the feed member and to furtheradvance the anvil member and feed member rearward to pass the wirethrough the anvil member, means for returning the feed member and anvilmember to normal positions, means on one of said movable members causingthe wire to be advanced during said return movement and thereby retainedin the anvil when returned to forming position, and means for holdingthe wire stationary during the said rearward movement of said members.

3. In a stitcher, the combination with a staple former, of an anvilmember shiftable laterally, a movable -feed member, means for shiftingthe anvil member from forming position over to the feed member and tofurther advance the anvil member and feed member rearward to pass thewire through the anvil member, means to r re turning the reed member andanvil member to normalpositions, means on one of said movable memberscausing the wire to be advanced during said return movement and therebyretained in the anvil when returned to forming position, and meanscarried by the feed member for preventing rearward movement of the wireduring the rearward movement of the feed member.

4. In a stitcher, the combination with a staple former, of an anvilmember shiitable laterally, a movable feed member, means for shiftingthe anvil member from forming position over to the feed member and tofurther advance the anvil member and feed member rearward to thread thewire through the anil member, means for returning the feed member andanvil member to normal positions, and means on one of said movablemembers causing the wire to be advanced during said return movement andthereby retained in the anvil when returned to forming position, meansfor varying the travel of the feed member.

5. In a stitcher, the combination with a staple former, of an anvilmember shiftable laterally, a movable i eed member, means for shiftingthe anvil member -from forming position over to the feed member and tofurther advance the anvil member and feed member rearward to thread thewire through the anvil member, means for returning the feed meml her andanvil member to normal positions, means on one of said movable memberscausing the wire to be advanced r'luring said return movement andthereby retained in the anvil when returned to "forming position, and lmeans for varying the travel of the anvil 1 member. l 6. In a stitcher,the combination with a staple former, of an anvil member shiltablelaterally, a movable feed member, means for shifting the anvil memberfrom forming position over to the feed member and to further advance theanvil member and feed member l rearward to thread the wire through theanvil member, means for returning the feed member and anvil member tonormal positions, means I on one of said movable members causing thewire to be advanced during said return move- 5 ment and thereby retainedin the anvil when l, returned to forming position, and means "for 1varying the travel of the anvil member, and means for varying the travelof the feed l member.

7. In a stitcher, the combination with a staple former, of an anvilmember shiftable laterally, a movable feed member, means for shiftingthe anvil member from il'orming position over to the feed member and tofurther advance the anvil member and lend member rearward to thread thewire through the anvil member, means for returning the feed member andanvil member to normal positions, means on one of said movable memberscausing the wire to be advanced during said return movement and therebyretained in the anvil when returned to forming position, means forvarying the travel of the anvil member, and means for varying the travelof the feed member, and a single adjustment device arranged to controlboth latter varying means.

8. In a stitcher, the combination with a staple former, 01 an anvil.member shi'l'table laterally, a movable 'l'eed member, means forshifting the anvil member from forming position over to the -feed memberand to further advance the anvil member and feed member rearward tothread the wire through the anvil member, means for returning the feedmember and anvil member to normal positions, and means on the feedmember causing the wire to be advanced therewith during its returnmovement and thereby retained in the anvil when returned to formingposition.

9. In a stitcher, the combination with a staple former, oi an anvilmember shiftable laterally, a movable i'eed member, means for shiftingthe anvil member from forming position over to the feed member and to 1further advance the anvil member and feed member rearward'to thread thewire through the anvil member, means for returning the feed member andanvil member to normal positions, means on the -feed member to cause thewire to be advanced therewith during its return movement and therebyretained in the anvil when returned to forming position, and means forholding the wire stationary during the said rearward move ment of saidmembers.

10. In a stitcher, the combination with a staple former, of an anvilmember shiitable laterally, a movable feed member, means for shiftingthe anvil member from forming position over to the feed member and tofurther advance the anvil member and feed member rearward to pass thewire through the anvil member, means for returning the feed member andanvil member to normal positions, means on the feed member to cause thewire to be advanced therewith during its return movement and therebyretained in the anvil when returned to forming position, and means forcausing said latter means to hold the wire stationary during the saidrearward movement of said members.

11. In a stitcher, the combination with a staple former of an anvilmember shittable laterally, a movable i'eed member, means for shiftingthe anvil member from forming position over to the feed member and tofurther advance the anvil member and feed. member rearward to pass thewire through the anvil member, means for returning the feed member andanvil member to normal position, rollers on the feed member to en gagethe wire, and means for preventing rotation of the rollers during thereturn move ment of the feed member to grip the wire and carry it alongwith the feed member during return movement.

12. In a stitcher, the combination with a staple former of an anvilmember shiitable laterally, a movable feed member, means for shiftingthe anvil member from forming position over to the feed member and to"urther advance the anvil member and feed member rearward to pass thewire through the anvil member, means for returning the feed member andanvil member to normal position, rollers on the feed member to engagethe wire, means for preventing rotation of the rollers during the returnmovement of the teed member to grip the wire and carry it along with thefeed member durin return movement, means to rotate the ro lers duringthe rearward movement of the feed member at a surface speed equal to thespeed of the feed member whereby the wire will be held stationary andcaused to ass through the traveling feed member anr anvil duringrearward movement thereof.

13. In a stitcher, the combination with a staple former of an anvilmember shiftable laterally, a movable feed member, means for shiftingthe anvil member from forming position over to the feed member and tofurther advance the anvil member and feed member rearward to pass thewire through the anvil member, means for returning the feed member andanvil member to normal position, a pair of rollers on the feed member, agear on the feed member, a stationary rack engaged by said gear duringthe travel of the feed member, a gear on one of said rollers, a pawl andratchet connection betueen the said two gears causing rotation of thefeed rollers during the rearward movement only of the feed member in adirection and at a speed relative to the moving feed member whereby thewire is held stationary, and means for locking said rollers againstmovement in the opposite direction hereby the wire is gripped by therollers on the return movement of the feed member.

14. In a stitcher, the combination nith a staple former of an anvilmember shittable laterally, a movable feed member, means for shiftingthe anvil member from forming position over to the feed member and tofurther advance the anvil member and feed member rearward to pass thewire through the anvil member, means for returning t e feed member andanvil member to normal position, a pair of rollers on the feed member, agear on the feed member, a stationary rack engaged by said gear duringthe travel of the feed member, a gear on one of said rollers, a pawl andratchet connection between the said two gears causing rotation of thefeed rollers during the rearward movement only of the feed member in adirection and at a speed relative to the moving feed. member hereby thewire is held stationary, a ratchet vrheel on one of the rollers, and apawl on the feed member engaging said latter ratchet wheel to preventrotation of the rollers during return movement of the feed member.

15. In a stitcher, the combination uith a staple former, of an anvilmember shittable laterally, a movable teed member, a mov able actuator,means for reciprocating the actuator, a lug on the actuator arranged toengage the anvil to shift it from forming position over to abut the feedmember and then advance both members rearv 'ard where by the a ire r;ill pass through both members, a lug on the actuator to engage andreturn the anvil member to normal position, a lug on the actuator forreturning the feed memher to its former position, and means on the feedmember for gripping the wire during the return movement only of the feedn1emher to retain the wire in the anvil when returned to formingposition. 7

16. In a stitcher, the combination with a staple former, of an anvilmember shiltable laterally, a movable feed member, a movable actuator,means for reciprocating the actuadvance both members IGitl'T-Citltlator, a lug on the actuator arranged to engage the anvil to shift itfrom forming position over to abut the feed member and then advance bothmembers rearward whereby the wire will pass through both members, a lugon the actuator to engage and return. the anvil member to normalposition, a lug on the actuator for returning the feed member to itsformer position, means on the feed member for gripping the wire duringthe return movement only of the feed member to retain the v; ire in theanvil when returned to forming position, and means for holding the wirestationary during the rearward movement of the feed member.

17. In a stitcher, the combination n ith a staple former of an anvilmember shiftable laterally, a movable feed member, a mov able actuator,means for reciprocating the actuator, a lug on the actuator arranged toengage the anvil to shift it from forming position over to abut the feedmember and then advance both members rearward whereby the v. ire willpass through both members, a lug on the actuator to engage and returnthe anvil member to normal position, a lug on the actuator for returningthe feed member to its former position, means on the feed member forgripping the wire during the re turn movement only of the feed member toretain the tire in the anvil then returned to forming position, meansfor adjusting the anvil advancing lug, and means for adjusting the feedmember returning lug.

18. In a stitcher, the combination with a staple former, of an anvil.member shiftable laterally, a movable feed member, a movable actuator,means for reciprocating the actuator, a lug on the actuator arranged. toengage the anvil to shift it from forming posi tion over to abut thefeed member and then advance both members rearward whereby the Wiretrill pass through both members, a lug on the actuator to engage andreturn the anvil member to normal position, a lug on the actuator forreturning the feed member to its former position, means on. the feedmember for gripping the vvire during the return movement only of thefeed member to retain the v; ire in the anvil when returned to formingposition, and means for simultaneously adjusting the anvil advancing lugand the feed member returning lug.

19. In a stitcher, the combination a ith a staple former, of an anvilmember shiftable laterally, a movable feed member, a movable actuator,means for reciprocating the actuator, a lug on the actuator arranged toengage the anvil to shift it from forming position over to abut the feedmember and then 1 whereby the u ire ill pass through both members, a lugon the actuator to engage and return the anvil member to normalposition, a lug on the actuator for returning the feed member to itsformer position, means on the feed member for gripping the wire duringthe re turn movement only of the feed member to retain the a ire in theanvil when returned to forming position, means for simultaneouslyadjusting the anvil advancing lug and the l feed member returning lug inthe same direction predetermined unequal distances.

20. In a stitcher, the combination with a staple former, of an anvilmember shiftable laterally, a movable feed member, a movable l actuator,means for reciprocating the actul ator, a lug on the actuator arrangedto en t gage the anvil to shift it from forming posi l tion over to abutthe feed member and then l advance both members rearward whereby thewire will pass through both members, a lug on the actuator to engage andreturn the anvil member to normal position, a lug on the actuator forreturning the feed member to its former position, means on the feed.member for gripping the wire during the rel turn movement only of thefeed member to retain the a ire in the anvil when returned to formingposition, a rotatable spindle on the actuator prevented from endwisemovement thereon and having two portions differently screw threaded, theanvil advancing lug having a threaded bore engaging one 0 said portions,and the feed member returning lug having a threadedbore engaging theother threaded portion of the spindle whereby the lugs are unequallyshifted by turning the spindle.

21. In a stitcher, the combination with a staple former, of an anvilmember shiftable laterally, a movable feed member, a movable actuator,means for reciprocating the actuator, a lug on the actuator arranged toengage the anvil to shift it from forming position over to abut the feedmember and then advance both members rearward whereby the wire will passthrough both members, a lug on the actuator to engage and return theanvil member to normal position, a lug on the actuator for returning thefeed member to its former position, and means on the feed member forgripping the wire during the return movement only of the feed member toretain the Wire in the anvil when returned to forming position, arotatable spindle on the actuator prevented from endwise movementthereon and having two portions differently screw threaded, the anviladvancing lug having a threaded bore engaging one of said portions, thefeed member returning lug hav ing a threaded bore engaging the otherthreaded portion of the spindle whereby the lugs are unequally shiftedby turning the spindle, and means for locking the spindle againstrotation.

22. In a stitcher, the combination with a staple former of an anvilmember shiftable laterally, a feed member shiftable in the same l path,a main shaft, an actuator mounted to reciprocate in proximity to saidtwo members, a cam member on the main shaft of the stitcher having arace way therein, a mov able arm having a portion engaging the walls ofthe race way to rock the arm, a toothed segment rocked by said arm, arack on the actuator engaging reciprocated thereby, a lug on theactuator positioned to engage the anvil mem )er to shift it from formingposition over to engage the feed. member and then advance both membersrearward to cause the wire to pass through both members, a lug on theactuator to return the anvil member to normal position, a lug on theactuator for returning the feed member to its former position, means onthe feed member for gripping the who during the return movement only ofthe feed member to retain the wire in the anvil member when returned toformer position, and means on the feed member for holding the wirestationary during the rearward movement of the feed member.

23. In a stitcher, the combination with a staple former of an anvilmember shiftable laterally, a feed member shiftable in the same path, amain shaft, an actuator mounted to reciprocate in proximity to said twomembers, a cam member on the main. shaft of the stitcher having a raceway therein, a movable arm having a walls of the race way to rock thearm, a toothed segment rocked by said arm, a raclr on the actuatorengaging the segment to be reciprocated thereby, a lug on the actuatorpositioned to engage the anvil member to shift it from forming positionover to engage the feed member and then advance both members rearward tocause the wire to pass through both members, a lug on the actuator toreturn the anvil member to normal position, a lug on the actuator forreturning the feed member to its former position, means on the feedmember for gripping the wire during the return. movement only of thefeed member to retain the wire in the anvil member when returned toformer position, and means on the feed member for holding the wirestationary during the rearward movement of the feed. member, a rotatablespindle on the actuator prevented. from endwise movement thereon andhaving two portions differently screw threaded, the anvil advancing lughaving a threaded bore engaging one of said portions, and the feedmember returning lug having a threaded bore engaging the other threadedportion of the spindle whereby the lugs are unequally shifted by turningthe spindle.

24. In a stitcher, the combination with a staple former, of an anvilmember shiftable laterally, a movable teed member, a movable actuator,means for reciprocating the actuator, a lug on the actuator arranged toengage the anvil to shift it from forming posithe segment to be portionengaging the tion over to abut the feed member and then advance bothmembers rearward whereby the wire ill pass through both members, a lugon the actuator to engage and return the anvil member to normalposition, a lug 011 the actuator for returning the feed member to itsformer position, rollers on the feed member to engage the is ire, andmeans for preventing rotation of the rollers during the return movementoi the feed member to grip the n'ire and carry it along nith the feedmember during such movement.

25. In a stitcher, the combination with a staple former, of an anvilmember shiftable laterally, a movable feed member, a movable actuator,means for reciprocating the actuator, a lug on the actuator arranged toengage the anvil to shift it from forming position over to abut the feedmember and then advance both members rearward whereby the a ire "1: illpass through both members, a lug on the actuator to engage and returnthe anvil member to normal position, a lug on the actuator for returningthe feed member to its former position, means on the feed member forgripping the v. ire during the return movement only of the feed memberto retain the ire in the anvil v hen returned to forming position, apair of rollers on the feed member, a gear on the feed member, astationary rack engaged by said gear during the travel of the feedmember, a gear on one of said rollers, a pavl and ratchet connectionbetween the said two gears causing rotation of the feed rollers duringthe rearward movement only of the feed member in a direction and at aspeed relative to the moving feed member v. hereby the v. ire is heldstationary, and means for locking said rollers against move ment in. theopposite direction whereby the n ire is gripped by the rollers on thereturn movement oi. the feed member.

26. In a stitcher, the combination with a staple former, of an anvilmember shiftable laterally, a movable feed member, means for shiftingthe anvil member from forming po sition over to the feed member and tofurther advance the anvil member and feed member rearr ard'to thread thewire through the anvil member, means for returning the feed member andanvil member to normal positions, and means on one of said movablemembers causing the wire to be advanced during said return movement andthereby retained in the anvil n hen returned to forming position, acutting device carried by the movable feed member, and means for operating the cutting device.

27. in a stitcher, the combination with a staple former, of an anvilmember shiftable laterally, a movable feed member, means for shiftin theanvil member from forming po-' sition over to the feed. member and tofurther advance the anvil member and feed member rearward to thread thewire through the anvil member, means for returning the feed member andanvil member to normal positions, means on one of said movable memberscausing the wire to be advanced during said return movement and therebyretained in the anvil when returned to forming position, means forvarying the travel of the feed member, a wire cutting device carried bythe feed member, and means for actuating the cutting device in thedifferent adjusted normal positions of the feed member.

28. In a stitcher, the combination with a staple former, of an anvilmember shiftable laterally, a movabl feed member, a movable actuator,means for reciprocating the actuator, a lug on the actuator arranged toengage the anvil to shift it from forming position over to abut the feedmember and then advance both members rearward whereby the wire will passthrough both members, a lug on the actuator to engage and return the anvil member to normal position, a lug on the actuator for returning thefeed member to its former position, means on the feed member forgripping the wire during the return movement onl of the feed member toretain the wire in t e anvil when returned to forming position, meansfor adjusting the anvil advancing lug, means for adjusting the feedmember returning lug, a wire cutting device carried by the feed member,and means for actuating the cutting device in the different adjustednormal positions of the feed member.

29. in a stitcher, the combination with a staple former, of an anvilmember shil'table laterally, a movable i'eed member, means for shiftingthe anvil member from forming position over to the feed member and tofurther advance the anvil member and feed member rearward to pass thewire through the anvil member, means for returning the feed memher andanvil member to normal positions, and means on. one of said movablemembers causing the wire to be advanced during said return movement andthereby retained in the anvil when returned. to forming position, meansfor varying the travel of the feed member, a wire cutting device carriedby the feed member, and means for actuating the cutting device in thedifl'erent adjusted normal positions of the feed member from the stapleformer.

30. In a stitch er, the combination with the anvil and a staple former,of a movable l'eed member, a wire guide on the feed mem ber, rollers onthe feed member to engage the wire therebetween, means for preventingrotation of the rollers during the return movement of the feed membertoward the anvil to grip the wire and advance it during such movement,means to positively rotate the rollers during the rearward movement ofthe feed member at a peripheral speed. equal to the speed of the feedmember and in the opposite direction where engaging the wire to hold thewire stationary and cause it to pass through the feed member during itsrearward. movement without the wire itsell being advanced, a cuttingdevice on the feed member, and means for actuating the cutting devicea'lter return of the feed member to normal position.

31. In a stitcher, the combination with the anvil and a staple former,of a movable 'l'eed member, a wire guide on the feed member, rollers onthe feed member to engage the wire therebetween, means for preventingrotation of the rollers during the return movement ol the feed membertoward the anvil to grip the wire and advance it during such movement,means to positively rotate the rollers during the rearward movement ofthe feed member at a peripheral speed equal to the speed of the feedmember and in the opposite direction where engaging the wire to hold thewire stationary and cause it to pass through the feed member during itsrearward movement without the wire itself being advanced, a cuttingdevice on the feed member, and means for actuating the cutting devicefrom the movement of the staple 'lormer alter return of the feed memberto normal position.

32. In a stitcher, the combination with the anvil and a staple former,of a movable feed member, a wire guide on the "feed member, rollers onthe feed member to engage the wire therebetween, means for preventingrotation of the rollers during the return movement of the feed membertoward the anvil to grip the wire and advance it during such movement,means to positively rotate the rollers during the rearward movement ofhe iced member at a peripheral speed equal to the speed of the feedmember and in the opposite direction where engaging the wire to hold thewire stationary and cause it to pass through the feed. member during itsrearward movement without the wire itsell being advanced, a cuttingdevice on the feed member, and means for actuating the cutting devicealter return of the feed member to normal position, in the severalpositions oi adjustment and from the movement of the stitcher.

33. In a stitcher, the combination with a staple former, of an anvilmember shiftable laterally from the forming position, a shift ablemember, means for shifting one of said members over to abut the othermember and to advance both said members, means for returning saidmembers to normal positions, wire engaging means on one of said membersarranged to grip the wire to advance it along with it when the membermoves in one direction, and when the member moves in the oppositedirection to engage the wire to advance it relative to the member at thesame speed that the member is moving but in the opposite directionwhereby the wire itself is held stationary during such movement.

34. In a stitcher, the combination with a staple former, of an anvilmember shiftable laterally, a movable feed member, means for othermember and to then advance both members, means for returning bothmembers to normal positions, means on the feed member for gripping thewire when the member is moved in one direction to carry it along withthe member, and means on the feed member for advancing the wire at thesame speed the member is moving but in the opposite direction to therebyhold the wire stationary when the member is moved in the oppositedirection.

35. In a stitcher, the combination with a staple former, of an anvilmember shiftable laterally, a movable feed member, means for shiftingone of said members over to the other member and to then advance bothmembers, means for returning both members to normal positions, means onthe feed member for gripping the wire when the member is moved in onedirection to carry it along with the member, and means on the feedmember for advancing the wire at the same speed the member is moving butin the opposite direction to thereby hold the wire stationary when themember is moved in the opposite direction, and means for varying thetravel of both said members.

36. In a stitcher, the combination with a staple former, of an anvilmember shiftable laterally from forming position, a movable feed member,means for advancing one of said members over to the other member and toadvance both members in the same direcl tion, meansfor returning saidmembers to normal position, rollers on the feed member to engage thewire therebetween, means for preventing rotation of the rollers duringone movement of the feed member to grip the wire and advance it, andmeans to positively rotate the rollers during the opposite movement ofthe feed member to advance the wire I shifting one of said members overto the through the feed member at the same speed that the feed member ismoving but in the opposite direction whereby the wire is held stationaryduring such movement of the feed member.

37. Ina stitcher, the combination with a i staple former, of an anvilmember, a movable I feed member, means for shifting one of said membersover to the other member to further advance both members in the samedirection, means for returning said members to normal position, a pairof rollers on the feed member to engage the wiregtherebetween, a gear onthe feed member, a stationary rack engaged by said gear during thetravel of the feed. member, a gear on one of said rollers, a pawl andratchet connection between said two gears causing rotation of the feedrollers during the movement of the feed member in one direction only andat a speed relative to the feed member and in a direction whereby thewire is held stationary during such movement of the feed member, andmeans for locking said rollers against movement in the oppositedirection whereby the wire is gripped by the rollers and advanced duringthe movement of the feed member in the opposite direction.

38. In a stitcher, the combination with a staple former, or" an anvilmember shiftable laterally from forming position, a movable feed member,means for advancing one of said members over to the other member and toadvance both members in the same direction, means for returningsaid'members to normal position, rollers on the feed member to engagethe wire therebetween, means for preventing rotation of the rollersduring one movement of the feed member to gri the wire and advance it,means to positive y r0- tate the rollers during the opposite movement ofthe feed member to advance the wire through the feed member at the samespeed that the feed member is moving but in ithledopposite directionwhereby the Wire is 1e feed member, and means for varying the movementsof the feed member and anvil member.

. 39. In a stitcher, the combination with an anvil member arranged to beshifted laterally, of a staple supporting member shiftable to and fromthe anvil member and connected stationary during such movement of thewith the anvil member to be shifted therewith upon lateral movement ofthe anvil member.

40. In a stitcher, the combination of an anvil member, an anvil mountedon the member and movable longitudinallythereon, the anvil memberbeingshiftabletransversely to the direction of movement of the anvil,and a staple supporting member mounted on the anvil member to be movablethereonto cooperate with the anvil but bodily Shifted upon movement ofthe anvil, member.

HENRY A. OLSSON Witnesses:

WILLIAM H. REID, F. E. BOYCE.

